Last reviewed · How we verify
placebo (unspecified)
Placebo produces therapeutic effects through patient expectation and the psychobiological response to receiving treatment, rather than through a pharmacologically active ingredient.
Placebo produces therapeutic effects through patient expectation and the psychobiological response to receiving treatment, rather than through a pharmacologically active ingredient. Used for Used as a control comparator in clinical trials across all therapeutic areas.
At a glance
| Generic name | placebo (unspecified) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Placebo effects arise from complex neurobiological mechanisms including expectation, conditioning, and endogenous neurotransmitter release. The therapeutic benefit is real but independent of the chemical properties of an inert substance, and is mediated by the patient's belief in treatment efficacy and contextual factors in the clinical encounter.
Approved indications
- Used as a control comparator in clinical trials across all therapeutic areas
Common side effects
- Nocebo effects (adverse events attributed to placebo)
Key clinical trials
- Effect of Kinesio Taping Application in Addition to Pilates Exercises on Core Muscle Thickness, Cognition and Mental Fatigue in Individuals With Non-specific Low Back Pain (NA)
- Erector Spinae Plane Block for Acute Low Back Pain (NA)
- Open-Label Placebo for Non-Specific Pain in the ED (NA)
- APF530 or Aloxi (Palonosetron Hydrochloride) Combined With Dexamethasone in Preventing Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy for Cancer (PHASE3)
- The Effect of Different Kinesio Taping Techniques Applied to Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain on the Thoracolumbar Fascia (NA)
- Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Naltrexone Hydrochloride Implant in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder (PHASE3)
- Diabetes Diagnosis, Management, Prevention and Education in Guinea-Bissau (PHASE4)
- Effects of Commonly Used Medications on Mood and Choice (PHASE1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- placebo (unspecified) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- placebo (unspecified) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC portfolio CI